Bunim-Murray Picks Sony CineAlta For "Rebel Billionaire"

FOX's "The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best" treats viewers to a program that not only features the largest prize in reality show history, but also one that has been shot using the tools of choice for high definition productions, Sony CineAlta technology and the HDW-F900 camcorder. Bunim-Murray Productions, the award-winning production team behind "The Simple Life" and "The Real World," opted to shoot the "The Rebel Billionaire" using six Sony HDW camcorders for their cost-efficiency, flexibility and image quality.

The show follows the journeys of Branson and 16 entrepreneurs as they visit international destinations and relive some of Branson's personal experiences while tackling the types of dilemmas that help shape future billionaires. Those contestants who impress Branson continue on to the next adventure as the others are left behind. The winner receives a grand prize of $1 million and the opportunity to run one of Branson's companies.

"With the unique demands of this project, from locations that included a hot-air balloon and the inside of a car, to severe low-light situations, the Sony camcorders were the optimal choice," said Patrick Murphy, vice president of production for Bunim-Murray Productions.

Producers and cinematographers are increasingly recognizing the advantages of high definition production, especially with the HDW-F900. The HD camcorder made its name in the TV community as the production tool of choice for half-hour situation comedies, but its application has broadened to include hour-long dramas, network specials and movies-of-the-week. This season, more than 50 new and returning shows in a variety of genres are using the HDW-F900.

"We have definitely seen a surge in shooting in HD from many of our clients," said Joel Ordesky, vice president of new technology at Wexler Video, the rental house that provided the show with their entire production equipment package. "Sony's HDW-F900 offers a variety of attractive features."

Widely considered the choice for 24P HD production, the camcorder's ability to record and playback 1080 line 24/25/30 frame progressive or 50/60 interlace images make it a powerful and flexible production option, and it offers astonishing color reproduction accuracy, advanced color control options, paint functions, contrast range and detail.

"Bunim-Murray Productions understands that high-quality production, cost- and time-savings are not mutually exclusive," said Andrew Stucker, general manager of business development, content creation for Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Production Systems Division. "Our ongoing objective is to support a production environment that maintains the highest quality visual images while creating efficiencies." The show airs Tuesday nights on FOX.

About Wexler VideoSince its inception in 1984, Wexler has become the largest privately held rental house in America. Known in television production as a pioneer of new broadcast and workflow technology, they have been responsible for breakthrough uses of small "POV" cameras and wireless-video microwave transmission for on-set production capture for broadcast.

Wexler offers complete workflow solutions starting with the first computer rentals in pre-production, all of the equipment needed to generate, capture and edit content through on-air delivery and, finally, the tools to archive for storage. All of their products are part of a complete solution designed and engineered to client specifications.